Oviedo Firefighter Suspended By Chief

OVIEDO — Fire Chief Andy McDaniel suspended a firefighter Wednesday for missing too many days of work and being discourteous to his shift commander.

Robert Hauck, 36, was suspended without pay pending a termination hearing before the city council at 4 p.m. Monday. If Hauck does not appear to defend himself, he will be fired automatically, City Manager Gene Williford said.

Records show that since April, Hauck had taken 264 hours of sick time, a little more than 11 shifts. Last year, Hauck did not take any sick days.

In one instance, Hauck called in sick on a day when he attended a class at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, McDaniel said.